what does being indicted mean

Being indicted means receiving a formal accusation that a person has committed a crime. This accusation is typically issued by a grand jury—a group of citizens who review evidence presented by a prosecutor to determine if there is probable cause to proceed with criminal charges. Importantly, being indicted is not a declaration of guilt but rather the official start of the legal process where the accused must defend themselves in court. Indictments are usually reserved for serious crimes like felonies. The indictment process involves law enforcement investigating alleged criminal activity, a prosecutor presenting evidence to the grand jury, and the grand jury deciding whether there is enough evidence (probable cause) to formally charge the individual. If yes, an indictment is issued, and the case moves forward, sometimes leading to an arrest or summons to court. Thus, being indicted means a formal charge has been brought based on sufficient evidence for the case to proceed, but it does not mean the person is guilty of the crime charged.